Patient concerns over safety and side effects leads to non-compliance and, sometimes, not even filling prescriptions, according to a new Harris Interactive survey for the Pharmaceutical Safety Institute. Feeding these anxieties: large numbers of people report they have personally experienced adverse reactions. And so most support a nationwide safety monitoring program.

Here are some of the findings: 49 percent of the 1,726 adults surveyed who have ever taken a med report being only “fairly confident”, “somewhat confident”, or “not at all confident” in their knowledge of these drugs. And 46 percent currently taking meds report being only “fairly confident”, “somewhat confident”, or “not at all confident” that their meds are safe.

Almost one-half say they’re concerned about adverse reactions and more than one-third have had an adverse reaction. So 46 percent say they’re “extremely concerned” or “very concerned” about adverse reactions when taken as directed. And 35 percent say they suffered side effects.

As a result, 35 percent admit they decided not to take a med because they had concern about a potential adverse reaction. And 27 percent of those who’ve taken a med say they decided not to fill a scrip because they were concerned about a side effect. Thanks to side effects, 94 percent report they stopped taking a med.

As for a nationwide drug monitoring program, 36 percent say they would be “absolutely certain” or “very likely” to participate. And 47 percent believe a nationwide program that monitors drug safety would have a “very strong” or “strong impact” on improving drug safety.

In other words, plenty of Americans want Congress to strengthen safety oversight. Unfortunately, there were no survey questions asking what specific kind of program should be created or whether the FDA should have a separate drug safety office, as Chuck Grassley has proposed. But this is clear impetus for Congress to take action.

[tags]Pharmaceutical Safety Institute[/tags]